It's been a while since I did a review so when I saw my mailbox this morning I was over "Joyed".

The only real negative I had about this deck was that the book was not in color. The cards are so beautiful, I found the pages a little drab. But that's really all! the rest of the book was full of useful information and data driven fact based information on each one of the cards. It was really a "joy" to read. 

If you’re looking for a tool that gently shifts your day from just surviving to finding delight, the Joy Cards deck delivers. At its heart, it’s elegant in its simplicity: forty-eight richly illustrated activity cards grounded in positive-psychology science, paired with a guidebook designed to spark what the authors call “joy gems” — those small, luminous moments that remind us stress and distraction don’t have to run the show.

From the first card pull, I appreciated how this deck makes the idea of joy feel accessible rather than fluffy. Each card pairs Lilamani de Silva’s radiant artwork with a simple action: stretch in the morning light, offer a genuine compliment, pause and notice the smell of your coffee. Others nudge you to move your body, reconnect to nature, or finally journal about what you’ve been avoiding. The guidebook explains how each practice is crafted to boost serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins — so you’re not chasing temporary happiness; you’re training your brain for long-term resilience.

Four Cards That Stood Out to Me

Be a Kid Again

This card was pure nostalgia wrapped in permission. When I pulled it, I stopped trying to be so productive for one afternoon and just played. I went outside, felt the grass under my feet, and let myself laugh without reason. It reminded me that joy doesn’t always have to be earned — sometimes it’s as simple as letting your inner child breathe for a while. We forget how healing it is to be silly, curious, and free, even for ten minutes.

Redesign Your Space

Pulling this card felt like permission to reclaim my environment. I spent an afternoon clearing clutter, rearranging my desk, and lighting one of my handmade candles. The shift was instant — my workspace felt like a sanctuary again instead of a staging area for chaos. Joy doesn’t always come from grand gestures; sometimes it’s a clear surface and a scent that feels like home.

Pay It Forward

This card resonated deeply. Its call to share your joy made me think of the Blessing Box of Goldsboro, where neighbors leave food and essentials for anyone in need. That afternoon, I filled a box with fresh fruits and veggies, along with gloves, hats, and other items to help someone through their day. There’s something profoundly grounding about giving back quietly — letting generosity become part of the rhythm of your life.

Celebrate You

This one stopped me cold because it’s so easy to celebrate others and forget ourselves. When Celebrate You appeared, I brewed coffee, sat quietly, and wrote down the ways I’d shown up for myself lately — surviving, creating, healing, growing. It wasn’t about ego; it was about acknowledgment. Joy blooms when you take a moment to honor the version of you that keeps showing up, even when no one’s watching.

How to Use This Deck

• Morning draws: Set a tone of joy before the day unravels.

• Midday resets: When overwhelm creeps in, pull one to pivot your energy.

• Weekend connections : Use with clients, circles, or meditation groups to turn simple acts into meaningful moment.

The Joy Cards stand out because they don’t demand belief in something mystical or complicated — just an invitation to notice, move, pause, and connect. They bridge the worlds of ritual and real life beautifully, making them an ideal companion for anyone seeking calm amid the everyday chaos.

I wholeheartedly recommend Joy Cards for anyone wanting to infuse daily life with more intention and ease. Whether you’re navigating transition, rebuilding after burnout, or simply craving more light among the shadows, this deck offers a grounded and playful way in.

Pull one card each morning, and you’re not just manifesting change — you’re designing it.

If you’d like to support my ongoing work with the Blessing Box of Goldsboro, you can do so by purchasing directly through my website, ByHerFires.com. Every order helps me continue stocking the boxes with fresh food, warm clothing, and kindness at the crossroads.